GB2125670A - An animal feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for carrying animal feedstuffs comprises a rigid support frame (11) carrying a plurality of flexible elongate elements such as chains (40) which may be supported at each end to form a family of catenary curves or may be supported at the upper end on two parallel rigid struts (22, 23) of the support frame and interlinked at the bottom by a rigid spacer. The chains define a cradle which can flex to adopt the circumferential configuration of a bale or mass of feedstuffs such as hay or silage and adapt to the changing configuration as the feedstuff is consumed by the animals. The apparatus can be mounted on a tractor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An animal feeder The present invention relates to an animal feeder, and particularly to a feeder designed to contain and dispense mass or baled material such as hay or silage to be fed to animals capable of withdrawing the material little by little from the mass or bale.

The technical problem on which the present invention is based is that of providing apparatus by means of which farm animals can be fed mass or baled material in a highly compacted form, and particularly bales which have been made in the generally cylin drical or "round" form currently enjoying popularity.

Such "round" bales (which term will be used to define bales having a generally cylindrical form) differfrom conventional rectangular or parallelepiped balestra- ditionally used for hay and straw in thatthey contain very much more material and may weigh several hundred kilograms. Such bales cannot be man and led and musttherefore be moved and transported using suitable mechanical handling apparatus.

Rigid hay feeders used with conventional rectangularor parallelepiped bales have incorporated inclined side walls to define a generally V-shape trough, the side walls of which are made from a rigid mesh through the apertures ofwhich the animals can withdrawthefeedstuff. As the bale reduces in size due to removal of material by the animals itfalls lower into the trough and continues to be available to the animals. With large round bales, on the other hand, the narrowV-shape feeder is notsuitablesincea complete bale lodges close to the top and cannot be reached by the animals conveniently.Moreover, because ofthe highlycompacted nature of silage bales even if a rigid mesh trough ofashallowerform is used the material rapidly becomes difficultto reach once the outer layers have been removed by the animals.

The present invention seeks, therefore, to provide animal feed apparatus capable of supporting large quantities ofanimalfeedstuffssuch as hayorsilage and of making this available to the animals as the bale is consumed. The present invention also seeks to provide apparatus by means of which round bales can be supported and dispensed, and by means of which they can be transported from place to place in the feeder by means of a simple coupling arrangement using a conventional ag ricu Itural tractor 3-point linkage.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention apparatus for holding animal feeds, from which animals can withdrawfeedstuffs as required, has a plurality of flexible elongate members which are supported at or adjacent at least one end and interlinked by at least one substantially rigid spacerto form a cradlefor a mass or bale ofthe animal feedstuff, which cradle is able to change shape to accommodate changes in the shape ofthe mass or bale ofthefeedstuffas it is progressively consumed by the animals.

The said flexible elongate members may be supported by a framework including at leasttwo generally parallel substantially horizontal (in use) frame mem bers laterally spaced from one another. Asupporting framework, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a pair of generally rectangular side frames incorporating the said two frame members supporting the flexible members ofthe cradle, and these rectangular side frames are spanned by transverse end struts to form a generally parallelepiped structure.

The end panels defined by the said transverse end struts and the uprights of the side frames are preferably spanned bya rigid mesh such as that sold underthe trade name "weldmesh". Likewise, the end panels may be separated into two by a vertical dividing strut reinforcing the mesh, although such a strut is not essential.

The lower generally horizontal members ofthe side frame may be formed as skids with suitably curved ends enabling the generally parallelepiped support frameto be dragged from achargingstationtothe required feeding location containing one or a plurality of bales.

The flexible members defining the cradle may be of any suitable form although in the preferred embodimentthese are constituted by chains of rigid links. In alternative embodiments, however, flexible line or wire, twisted rope or cable or otherflexible elongate members such as tapes or webs may be used instead, the only requirement being thatthe degree of flexibilitymustallowthecradletovarywith changes in shape of a bale supported thereby as this is progressively consumed,thusallowing the the animals access at all times to the feedstuff carried by the cradle either by the natural variation in shape or by forced variation asthe animal presses against the cradle in reaching towards the feedstuff.

The rigid spacer spanning the flexible elongate members may be a single spacer or spacerframe or may be constituted by a plurality of substantially straight bars or rods extending the whole length of the apparatus. In alternative embodiments these may extend less than the full length and, in the minimum case, may span only adjacent flexible elongate mem berssothatthe mesh cradleisflexible in two dimensions.

In one embodiment the spacer is in the form of a spacer frame joining the lower ends ofthe flexible elongate members the upper ends of which are carried by the fixed supporting framework, the spacer frame thugs being suspended bytheflexible elements within the fixed framework.

The supporting framework may incorporate a roof or cover (which may be removable) to protect the feedstufffrom rain or other precipitation although such rooforcover needs to be removable in orderto allow charging or loading ofthe cradle with round bales. The length of the feeder may be sufficientto accommodate an integral number of round bales from one upwards.

Anotherfeature ofthe present invention is the provision in animal feed apparatus as defined above of connector means by which the supporting framework can be engaged and raised by a cooperating adaptor frame suitable for mounting on a 3-point linkage of an agricultural tractor. By means of this simple adaptation the feed apparatus of the present invention can be lifted and carried to the required feed location by reversing the tractor, suitably equip ped with the adaptor into a suitable position with respectto the feeder, raising the 3-point linkage to automatically engage and raise the feeder, and then carrying the feeder to the required location.

Two embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of animal feed apparatus formed as a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodi mentofthe present invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an adaptor frame for mounting on a tractor3-point linkageforcoopera- tion with the feeder illustrated in Figure 2.

Referring nowtothe drawings, the animal feeder illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a generally para Ilelepiped supportframe, generally indicated with the reference numeral 11, and comprising two rectangularside frames 12, 13 each of which is formed by a horizontal upper frame limb 14, 15 and a horizontal lowerframe limb 16, 17 generally parallel to the respective upperframe limb ofthe associated frame.

At each end of the horizontal frame limbs 14, 16 of the frame 12 upright limbs 18,20 are provided and corresponding uprights 19,21 complete the rectangularouterframe of the side frame 13. An intermediate horizontal frame limb 22,23 extends parallel to the upperframe limb 14, 15 of each side frame and approximately one quarter of the distance between the upper and lower horizontal frame limbs from the upper frame limb of each frame respectively. Further reinforcement is provided by a central reinforcing strut 24,25 extending between mid portions ofthe upper and intermediate horizontal frame limbs 14,22 oftheframe 12 and 15,23 of the frame 13.

The rigid support is completed by transverse end struts26,27 at one end oftheframework and 28,29 at the other end. These struts are reinforced by a central column 30,31 respectively which also serve to separate the end panels in two. Furthertriangulation reinforcement is provided between the uppertransverse end struts 26,28 and the adjacent ends ofthe longitudinal uppersideframe members 14,15 by inclined reinforcing struts 32,33,34,35 respectively.

The two end panels carry a rigid mesh generally indicated with the reference numerals 36,37 respectively, and the lower longitudinal frame limbs 16, 17 have arcuately curved end portions 1 6a, 17a enabling these to act as skids.

The two upper longitudinal side frame panel members 14, serve as the supports for a plurality of chains 40 which hang in paraboliccateneries (when unstressed) between these two frame supports 14, 15 and define a family of parallel planes perpendicular to the length of the two supports 14,15. Spanning the chains and extending parallel to the elongate supports 14,15 are a plurality of rigid rods 41 which are connected secu rely to each chain at a selected point along its length to define a latice-like cradle which is flexible in a direction perpendicularto a generatrix.

When a round bale is lowered by mechanical handling apparatus into the cradle the chains 40 can flex to adopt the circumferential configuration ofthe bale, whilst the rods 41 provide support parallel to the axis of the bale. As the bale is consumed by animals withdrawing the material of the bale through the latice openings defined by the chains 40 and rods 41 the flexibility ofthe chains allows a variation in the shape ofthe cradle to accommodate changes in shape ofthe bale.Moreover, as the animals (for example sheep or cattle) press againstthe material of the cradle to gain access to the material ofthe bale the chains allow flexing movementtotake place so that even if a hollow or recess has been formed in the bale due to withdrawal of material the animals can nevertheless approach close enough to grip morefood between theirteeth and withdraw it so thatthey are not denied access to the food bythe cradle as has previously occurred with rigid feeders.

Referring nowto Figures 2 and 3, the second embodiment illustrated is formed on a basic framework substantially similar to that ofthefirst embodiment and consequently components which are the same orsimilarto those in the embodiment of Figure 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals.

Thus,thesecond embodiment is mounted on skids 16,17 and comprises a generally rectangular framework having four uprights 18,19,20,21 formed into two sideframes 12,13 by two parallel upper side members 14, 1 joining the upper ends ofthe uprights 18,20 and 19,21 respectively, the lower ends of these uprights being joined by the skids 16, 17 respectively.

Two further longitudinal horizontal members22,23 span the uprights of each frame and extend parallel to the respective upper horizontal members 14, 15 and are joined to these by two pairs of reinforcing struts 24,25 respectively.

The two side frames 12,13 are joined atthe ends by upper and lower horizontal rails 26,27 at one end and 28,29 at the other. The upper horizontal rails 26,28 are located atthe same horizontal level as the horizontal rails 22,23 and form a rectangular horizontal frame therewith. Triangulating reinforcing struts 32,33 are provided between the uprights 20,21 and the upper rear horizontal rail 28, and similartriangulating reinforcing struts 34,35 reinforce the forward corner connection between the uprights 28, 19 and the forward upper horizontal rail 26.

Thusfarthe supporting framework of the second embodiment is similarto the framework of the first. It differs, however, by the absence ofthe central uprights 30,31 which are positioned in the middle of each end ofthe framework ofthe embodiment of Figure 1, and by the addition, in the second embodiment of a connector loop 53 comprising a horizontal rail 54 parallel to the rail 26 and two horizontal bearers 55,56 which project from the uprights 18, 19 in alignment with the horizontal rails 22,23 as effective extensions thereof. This loop 53 is used for interconnection with a suitable coupling device carried by a tractor as will be described in greater detail below.

Suspended from the upper horizontal rails 14, 15 are two sets of seven chains 57,58 secured to the rails 14, 15 by bolts passing through the rails and through and end link ofthe chain. The lower ends of the chains 57, 58 are secured to a lower cradle frame generally indicated 59 comprising two parallel longitudinal frame members 60,61 spanned attheir ends bytwo transverse frame members 62,63. Secured to the underside of the transverse frame members 62,63 are two longitudinally extending bars 64.The cradle frame 59 is supported in generally horizontal position bythe chains 57,58 and, in use, the cradle defined by the frame 59 and the chains 57, 58 can support a large round bale of hay or silage with the cylindrically curved sides ofthe bale in contactwith the chains 57, 58.Thisflexesthechainstoan outwardly convex shape and the animals can gain access to the feed through the spaces between the chains 57,58. Mesh panels 65,66, illustrated only in part in the drawings, close the ends oftheframe to limit access to the feed through the ends of the feeder so that the animals are effectively restricted to taking feed from the curved sides defined bythe chains.As the feed is removed the chains tend to straighten therefore holding any loosened material closely against the main body of the feed. This has the beneficial effect, where silage is concerned, of reducing secondary fermentation which takes place as soon as air can gain access, being an aerobic process, and extends the useful life ofthe feed, preventing deterioration prior to consumption.

The cradle frame 59 also holds the feed spaced from the ground to prevent contamination by dampness drawn from the ground whilst at the same time allowing full and ready access to thefeed byas many animals as can stand side by side along the length of the two side frames 12,13.

Movementofthefeederfrom place to place by means of a tractor is facilitated in part by the skids 16 which allow itto be drawn over the ground, and in part bythe lifting loop 53 which can be engaged by an adaptor generally indicated 66 and illustrated in Figure 3. This adaptor comprises a generally horizontal main support strut 67 from which extend upwardly two uprights 68,69 spanned at a point intermediate their end by a horizontal strut 70 and at their upper ends by an assembly comprising a horizontal strut 71 and two inclined connector struts 72,73.

The uprights 68,69 carry projecting plates 74,75 from which extend respective pins 76,77 for engagement by cooperating connectors on the ends of the arms of a conventional tractorthree point linkage. The transverse strut 70 has two parallel plates 78 having aligned apertures 79 for receiving a coupling pin by means of which the strut 70 can be joined to the upper link arm of a conventional tractorthree point linkage.

The adaptorframe 66 is thus held by the tractorthree point linkage in a substantially vertical plane and can be raised and lowered by raising and lowering the three point linkage. Coupling the frame to the tractor is thus easily achieved by reversing the tractor up to the front end ofthe frame until the horizontal struts 67 strikes againstthe forward uprights 18, 19 at which point the upperframe members ofthe adaptor, namely the members 71,72 and 73 defining the arched top will be located beneath the loop 53. By then raising the tractorthree point linkage the adaptor is raised until these upper arch-forming members enter the loop 53 and the strut 70 abut the underface of the transverse rail 54. Further raising ofthethree point linkage causes the whole feeder frame to be raised from the ground in a substantially parallel orientation.

Because the frame is relatively light in weight the tractor can easily raise the frame without being tipped backwardly. The feeder can then be driven to any convenient point accessible to the tractor and left by simply lowering the three point linkage to disengage the adaptor automatically from the supportframe.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for holding animal feeds, from which animals can withdrawfeedstuffs as required, in which a plurality of flexible elongate members are supported at or adjacent at least one end and interlinked by at least one substantially rigid spacer to form a cradle for a mass or bale ofthe animal feedstuff, which cradle is able to change shape to accommodate changes in the mass or bale ofthefeedstuffas it is progressively consumed by the animals.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said flexible elongate members are supported by a framework including at least two generally parallel frame memners laterallyspacedfrom one another.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, in which the supportingframeworkcomprisesa pairofgenerally rectangularsideframes incorporating the said two frame members supporting the flexible members and spanned by transverse end struts to form a generally parallelepiped structure.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the end planes of the parallelepiped structure are filled with a rigid mesh.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2to4, in which the lower side frame members are in the form of skids supporting theframe on the ground.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the flexible elongate members are constituted bya pluralityofchain links.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5. in which the said flexible elongate members are constituted by rope, wire or cable.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the said rigid spacers are substantially straight bars or rods extending the length ofthe apparatus.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim in whichtherearefurther provided roof or cover means removably positionable over the feeder.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim in which the said flexible elongate members are supported at both ends and hang as a catenaryto supportthefeedstuff.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, in which the flexible elongate members are each supported on the supportframe at one end thereof and are linked at a lower end by the said rigid spacer.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, in which the said rigid spacer is constituted by a spacerframe and the attachment points on the frame forthe flexible elongate elements on either side thereof are defined by two separate rows of points.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, in which the spacer frame is substantially rectangular and suspended by the elongate flexible members in a generally horizontal orientation.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 13, further including connector means by which the supportframe can be mounted on tractor.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, in which the said connector means are adapted for interconnection with an adaptorframe mountable on a tractor.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, in which the said connector means is a loop on the said fixed supportframe and the said adaptor frame mountable on the tractor is in the form of a generally upright framework having a projecting pars which can be introduced into the said loop.

17. Animalfeed apparatus substantially ashereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 orto Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.